Ken Venturi, once part of a golden age for San Francisco golfers, won 14 PGA tour events, including the 1964 U.S. Open.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Ken Venturi, once part of a golden age for San Francisco golfers,...

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06/16/1966-Ken Venturi chipping onto the fourth green at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., during the U.S. Open on Thursday, June 16, 1966.

Photo: Bob Campbell

06/16/1966-Ken Venturi chipping onto the fourth green at the...

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Ken Venturi, of San Francisco, gets out of sand trap on 3rd green and eyes his ball, extreme upper left, which came down 12 inches from cup during the second round of the 56th Amateur Championship at Knellwood today.

Photo: Associated Press

Ken Venturi, of San Francisco, gets out of sand trap on 3rd green...

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Former PGA golfer Ken Venturi on the 18th green at the renovated Olympic Club Course in San Francisco, Calif., March 12, 2012.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Former PGA golfer Ken Venturi on the 18th green at the renovated...

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sfgolf22_6.jpg October 31, 1968 - George Archer chips to 9th green for a birdie.

Photo: Art Frisch, The Chronicle 1968

sfgolf22_6.jpg October 31, 1968 - George Archer chips to 9th green...

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Determined Ken Venturi, surrounded by a straining gallery, on his way to victory. The 24-year-old San Franciscan punched this one to the green on the 24th hole yesterday in beating Harvie Ward 5 and 4.Photo was taken: 03/11/1956.

Photo: Barney Peterson, San Francisco Chronicle

Determined Ken Venturi, surrounded by a straining gallery, on his...

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Former PGA golfer Ken Venturi on the 18th green at the renovated Olympic Club Course in San Francisco, Calif., March 12, 2012.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Former PGA golfer Ken Venturi on the 18th green at the renovated...

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sfgolf22_5.jpgJune 21, 1964 - DOUBLE REWARDKen Venturi, winner of the National Open gets a big kiss from his wife, Conni, as he accepts the title-holder's silver cup after a searing final round on the Washington Congressional Country Club course yesterday.

Photo: AP Wirephoto, San Francisco Chronicle File 196

sfgolf22_5.jpgJune 21, 1964 - DOUBLE REWARDKen Venturi, winner of...

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Ken Venturi, Conni Venturi (his wife) and San Francisco Mayor John Shelley on July 27, 1964, after Venturi won the U.S. Open at Congressional in June 1964.Photo was taken 07/27/1964.Ken Venturi, Conni Venturi (his wife) and San Francisco Mayor John Shelley on July 27, 1964, after Venturi won the U.S. Open at Congressional in June 1964.Photo was taken 07/27/1964.

As a kid, Ken Venturi played his first round of golf at Harding Park. He used hickory-shaft clubs and followed his dad's advice to play quickly and count every stroke. He shot 172.

Venturi's long and winding road reached its ultimate destination Monday, when he was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame. He earned recognition in the Lifetime Achievement category and will be inducted in May, alongside Fred Couples.

For many years, Venturi was considered one of the Hall of Fame's most glaring omissions. Not anymore.

"The greatest reward in life is to be remembered," he said of his election. "It's the dream of a lifetime."

Venturi, 81, grew up in San Francisco and attended San Jose State. He won 14 tournaments on the PGA Tour, including a memorable victory in the 1964 U.S. Open outside Washington, D.C. - where he survived severe dehydration, in brutal heat and humidity, on the final, 36-hole day.

That win revitalized Venturi's career, which ended prematurely a few years later because of hand problems eventually diagnosed as carpal-tunnel syndrome.

Venturi was part of a golden era in Bay Area golf. He, Johnny Miller (1973 U.S. Open and '76 British Open), George Archer (1969 Masters) and Bob Rosburg ('59 PGA Championship) - all San Francisco natives - combined to win an unofficial Grand Slam.

After his playing days, Venturi spent 35 years as a television analyst with CBS. He retired in 2002.

"The last time I had tears in my eyes was when I won the U.S. Open," Venturi said in concluding a conference call Monday. "This has been a special day, and I'm deeply honored."

Venturi, who was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, will serve as a special honoree at this week's Frys.com Open at CordeValle, south of San Jose.